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English was first introduced by the settlers in the 12th century. In later plantations (the Ulster Plantation of the 17th century), settlers couldn’t mingle with the natives.
English became stronger and stronger as a language, because Irish speakers were very poor and lived in a poor way, which resulted that the Irish were seen as less strong language.
The language wasn’t the language for those who wanted to start a modern career, so they began to speak more and more English.

After 1850 started more and more Irishmen talking English as a native language and they were taught by the Roman Catholic Church.
There are two main dialects in Ireland; Hiberno-English (found in the provinces of Connacht, Leinster and Munster) and Mid Ulster English (found in Ulster)